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Article by Vince Pemberton, Chair of the BVRLA Leasing Broker Committee
What an exciting and positive start to the year we’ve seen in the leasing broker community.
Speaking with colleagues and fellow brokers, there is a real sense of momentum building. It is a privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Leasing Broker Committee at such a pivotal time, and I am proud to represent a sector that continues to play such a vital role within the BVRLA membership. I have some big shoes to fill. So many of us benefitted from the great efforts of Rod Lloyd before me, who held the position right through turbulence brought about by the Court of Appeal and subsequent Supreme Court rulings on motor finance.
As Chair, my ambition is to build on the excellent work of those who have gone before me. The committee provides a strong voice for leasing brokers and my focus will be on strengthening the links between the BVRLA and entire leasing broker community. Central to this is creating more two-way dialogue. The committee is not simply a sounding board, but a vehicle to progress discussions, surface real-world challenges and help drive positive, practical change.
Our most recent committee meeting reflected just how fast-moving the current policy landscape is. Vehicle taxation, motor finance regulation and EV incentives are all under close review, with direct implications for brokers and their customers. Dominating that discussion were the complexities of eVED, which many feel is a recipe for disaster in its current guise. The BVRLA team is always trying to make it easier for leasing brokers to engage with policymakers – including simple ways to contact MPs and highlight the real-world impact on customers and businesses. An example of this is a simple online tool that allows you to write to your MP to share your concerns about eVED and outline the operational challenges it will bring.
We also discussed the importance of reminding brokers about upcoming changes to the Expensive Car Supplement, ensuring these are clearly understood and communicated to customers.
While the Supreme Court motor finance ruling last Summer would have been welcome relief to many in our sector, the whole situation reminds us how much scrutiny we are constantly under. Improving the customer journey remains a shared priority across the association and the broker community. The committee discussed the steps being taken to review every stage of that experience, with a focus on ensuring guidance, tools and processes are genuinely effective for members and their customers. More updates will follow in due course, but members can expect to see the BVRLA enhance broker access to the Fair Wear and Tear Guide, alongside the development of further guidance and training modules.
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service forms another key part of that topic, and the committee sought clarity around how cases are brought against members or charged. The team confirmed that complaints are only raised against brokers when relating to the parts of the customer relationship they own. A customer complaint raised against a broker for a funder-related matter will be reallocated to the funder as necessary. Clear details on the service are accessible to members on the BVRLA website.
Please note to access that, or any other member-only, resources on the new website, you will need to reregister your account to get set up.
One of the standout moments for me each year is the Leasing Broker Conference, and planning is already underway. The event remains a key opportunity for collaboration, learning and representation, and all brokers are encouraged to feed in with ideas and suggestions to help ensure the event delivers maximum value. Please share any comments with a member of the committee (see below) or the BVRLA team directly.
I look forward to updating you further in due course and would strongly encourage members to contact the BVRLA team with any views, questions, or to find out more about getting involved in the committee’s work. Your input is essential as we continue to represent the sector and support a strong, progressive leasing broker community.
